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Two Who Survived: Keeping Hope Alive While Surviving the Holocaust

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Two Who Survived chronicles the true story of two children from different worlds: a city boy and a country girl. When the persecution of Jews begins, both are plucked from their reality and thrust into concentration camps. They are stripped of everything they know and forced to navigate a truly incomprehensible, volatile, dangerous and unpredictable world. Even when separated from support systems and family members, their drive to survive helps them cope. Despite their exposure to the horrors of the Holocaust, they endure and carry on with a determination that shapes their character forever. Follow the lives of Rose and Max as they learn to adapt to a reality beyond belief and emerge stronger than ever. When they are finally liberated from their concentration camps, they navigate a new world individually before eventually coming together to form what each so tragically lost: A FAMILY

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 27, 2019

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Rose Schindler

2 books4 followers

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5 stars
253 (75%)
4 stars
65 (19%)
3 stars
15 (4%)
2 stars
2 (<1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
Profile Image for Michele The Bookish Tea Room.
481 reviews9 followers
September 26, 2019
This is truly an amazing story of two children who survived the holocaust. Yes, children. Rose and Max were only young teenagers when they were sent to the camps! These stories are always horrifying, but the optimism and hope that these two had is what makes their story so hopeful and beautiful. I met Rose at a book signing and she was such a joyful lady! Her inscription in my book: “Never give up hope.” I am so thankful she and her husband Max shared their story in this book.
26 reviews
March 16, 2022
I bought this book after listening to Rose speak on a podcast in February. What a remarkable story of resilience and survival. It is simply amazing to hear the stories of these two and how they were able to survive when so many did not. Their strength and courage is awe inspiring!
Profile Image for Richelle.
46 reviews
January 21, 2020
I had the honor of hearing Rose speak a couple of weeks ago. What a courageous person, with an amazing story of survival and hope after enduring the absolute worst of humanity.
Profile Image for abby hagman.
8 reviews
January 7, 2023
This book was so beautiful, the story was written incredibly. At times it was hard to read, just because of how in depth they discussed what they went through. But other than that it was a great book, and I feel so empowered after reading it, and so inspired after hearing their stories.
2 reviews
April 21, 2020
Reading the first 10 pages or so, it could have been my Mom writing. Mom grew up in the 30's on a rural farm in No Missouri, no indoor plumbing till the 60's. So similar, Until the war! I was crying though part of the book about the conditions for a 14 year old girl in the camp. I was excited when they were rescued by the Russians. Well done, followed what her family wanted, tell the world what has been happening to us.

Such a painful young life, how could the world ignore what was happening in Germany!! Shocking!!

Thank you Rose Schindler for telling the story.
48 reviews
February 9, 2022
I was very fortunate to see and hear Rose Schindler's story (via a pre-recorded video because she was having health issues) October 2021. What a courageous woman she is to listen to the advice of strangers, seek out information on her own at Auschwitz, and find a way to survive so she could honor her family and tell others about her experience.
The book is written from the perspective of Rose, raised in an Orthodox Jewish family in a small town in Czechoslovakia, and that of her husband Max, who was raised in Berlin, Germany. Understanding the suffering they both endured and kept their hope alive for liberation is truly inspiring. Although there may have been many things that could have discouraged them the love of their family kept them alive.
This book teaches many lessons about the way politics can coerce and manipulate public opinion and force their will because of their own need for power and control.
Profile Image for Alicia.
3 reviews
October 23, 2022
"Live so you can tell the world what they are doing to us."

I had the privilege of listening to Rose speak via a virtual event in February 2021, and her courageous and inspiring talk made me eager to read her memoir as well. This succinct telling of Rose and Max Schindler's experiences before, during, and after WWII is told through the alternating perspectives of Rose and Max themselves; and while this may not be the most refined book you will read on the Holocaust, it's heart, courage, honesty, and message of hope deserve all 5 stars.

If you have even just a remote interest in WWII, this book is for you. If you have read a lot of WWII literature, this book is for you. And if you have the chance to listen to Rose speak, do it. Her story, like those of all Holocaust survivors, will leave you a changed person.

A huge thank you to Rose and Max for being willing to share their incredible story of loss, resilience, and ultimately, of survival and triumph over evil.
Profile Image for Prell Gwinn.
3 reviews
April 12, 2020
Beautifully written and memorable!

I learned about this book from a Jocko podcast, where Rose Schindler was interviewed by Jocko and provided an emotional recount of raw, tragic, and moving events chronicled in this book. After, I couldn’t wait to read it. I love how the book begins being written from a child’s perspective and progresses as Rose and Max progress in age. This book gave a glimpse into the harsh and painful recollections of two strong individuals while giving light to those who helped them along the way. This was a sad time in world history, and the experiences are truly hard to fathom, but must never be forgotten. I enjoyed the unique perspective on Rose and Max’s survival of the Holocaust that this book provided and highly recommended this book.
Profile Image for Ace M.Z..
Author 1 book
April 20, 2021
About a year ago, I met Rose Schindler at my school and bought Two Who Survived. What was unique about this book was that it was the memoir of two people that merged into one. What I also found interesting was that this memoir not only about the Holocaust but also about the lives of the two people in this memoir before and after that event. I also liked the photos, because it makes you feel like you know these people. The interior of the cover was also an intriguing design aspect because it makes you feel like your walking through one of the camps, which is symbolic of the story.
Profile Image for Keri.
50 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2022
Very fast read. While obviously sad, not as detailed and gruesome as other holocaust surviver books I have read so if you want to dip your toes into this world but not DIVE in, this may be a good book for you.

I originally heard Rose’s story on Jocko’s podcast and knew I wanted to read the book. It still boggles my mind that these events actually happened and I can’t even imagine what it took to survive. Rose and Max’s stories are unimaginable, and the fact that they still were able to thrive and be such positive influences on the world is inspiring ❤️
February 22, 2022
I bought this book after hearing Rose speak last week at my child’s school.

What an honor to bear witness to her testimony in person and in print. The atrocities she and her husband endured are beyond comprehension. And her words will stay with me for the rest of my life. I’m humbled and inspired. And just so grateful she was able to find the inner strength to have such hope that led to her survival. The incredible thing is she only survived, she thrived. And continues to give back at 92 years old ... gives wisdom and hope.... what a woman!
Profile Image for Evaly.
197 reviews
March 27, 2020
My kids were able to hear Rose speak at their school and I’m so glad I could also read the Schindler‘s story. It is an amazing book and I loved how each chapter switched back-and-forth telling their stories until they met. It is truly a miracle that they survived and such an inspiration! I also loved that this book was appropriate for middle school and up. It is so good for kids to understand what happened but it is not too graphic.
Profile Image for Linda.
10 reviews
May 26, 2020
Interesting and important to never forget the atrocity of the Holocaust! I met this woman at a talk on the subject and admired her strength to go on after this horror and to teach other about it first hand.
Very good life study from two people that went through hell and decided to move forward in a positive way and were blessed with constructive lives and a beautiful family. Written for young people, so a quick read.
12 reviews
March 23, 2022
Nothing short of an incredible and amazing story of bravery and hope!

I have read Man's Search for Meaning which I think is also a must read for everyone, however this story of these kids with amazing courage and unwavering faith in the face of unthinkable atrocities and horror...it is something that must never be forgotten and must never ever happen again! I was deeply touched. God Bless Rose and Max and all who survived and all who played a part in their liberation!
Profile Image for Amanda.
401 reviews7 followers
March 23, 2023
In February 2020 my children and I met Rose Schindler when she spoke at a middle school in San Diego. She is a woman with spunk and determination. The telling of her and her husband’s experiences in Nazi concentration camps is beautiful but heartbreaking. They honor family members who lost their lives and emphasize that they never gave up hope. “Just survive so you can tell the world what they did to us.”
Profile Image for Holli.
287 reviews2 followers
February 17, 2022
I read this in preparation of listening to Rose Schindler speak to my WW2 class I’m teaching tomorrow. Loved reading their story and am so in awe of the hope, perseverance, and resilience of people who lived through such horrifying times. I am so grateful they share their stories for us to learn from and not let this happen again.
Profile Image for Nick.
227 reviews8 followers
March 15, 2022
Max and Rose are amazing people who did unthinkable things as teens. I can’t imagine losing so much family at that age. And then being a success story as an adult. Bravo. I learned about camps I hadn’t heard of. I enjoyed hearing their stories as they grew up as well. Bravo to them.
Profile Image for Carrie.
251 reviews
April 7, 2020
We met Rose Schindler at a community event.
Her scrappy, fun personality makes her story even more effective.
Loved her and her book was a delight.
Profile Image for Peter Warzycha.
13 reviews1 follower
August 23, 2020
Just an amazing book... I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants to learn more about the Holocaust. Rose and Max are 2 amazing people
Profile Image for Linda Burrell.
58 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2021
Wow! Such a moving NONFICTION story told by 2 teenagers who survived the Holocaust. Their stories are heart wrenchingly detailed.
You should read... so we never forget or doubt it happened.
16 reviews
June 18, 2021
An incredible story of hope in the midst of horror. And they built a beautiful life after the Holocaust, refusing to let bitterness keep them from trying to live a full, good life.
Profile Image for Jocelyn Bennion.
471 reviews12 followers
December 14, 2022
I listened and Rose reads her own parts. It was touching that after all this time certain parts still made her very emotional.
36 reviews
April 30, 2023
One of the best-written stories I've ever read on the Holocaust. Riveting. Must read.
Profile Image for Ray.
12 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2020
Quick but amazing read. There were times I had to stop just to take some time to try take a break from learning about the extremely harsh conditions Rose and Max talk about. It is absolutely amazing to see how much resilience they had. I love the book and reccomend it for all to read. The Jocko Podcast highlights and goes through this book with Rose and I strongly reccomend you hear that episode as well.
March 7, 2020
I casually heard about Rose and Max from the Jocko podcast. World War II was always captivating and the Holocaust was heartbreaking. Jocko would read excerpts from the book and I would listen intently. When Rose would speak, I would listen. This book is incredibly well written. The format is interesting as well. Rose and Max wrote as children all the way up to adulthood. You learn about the triumph of the human spirit in the face of unspeakable evil. This book is a sobering view of the evil of men’s hearts. It also shows you that hope can be renewed. Easily one of the best books that I have read. Even though you may not know me, this book is worth your time.
14 reviews
October 24, 2019
Autobiography of two Jews who survived the camps. Poignant

As the title states, this is an autobiography of two holocaust survivors. It is interesting how the beginning of the book is written as young children would write. As the ages of Max and Rose progress, the writing style too progresses. The entire book is written in the present tense so the reader is living every moment alongside Rose and Max. This somehow brought me closer to the story than had it been written in the past tense.

The lives they each lived is a story which must be told and remembered. Through the story, we gain a love of Rose & Max. Although some of the horrific things were written, many must have been omitted so more people will read the story.

I've read many books about the holocaust, yet this book somehow is memorable. Read it and never forget what hatred can do.
4 reviews
September 6, 2019
I have long been interested in learning more of the events of WWII. Specifically, the events in Europe and what we need to learn and remember today. This book embodies family, love, loss, tragedy, and tells the horrors of the political climate in Europe during that time. Recommended reading for all!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews

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